For the past six years, Solana Beach Presbyterian Church has sent teams into Mexico to build homes for families in need. Over Memorial Day weekend, during his fifth trip, domusstudio’s Lew Dominy joined 230 others to complete their 106th home or “casa.” A Christian organization known as Amor Ministries organizes, prepares the site, and stacks the materials for the build team.

This year, Hoehn Motors sponsored a group of employees who had never experienced building a home in Mexico. There were also some folks from a small Presbyterian Church in Rosarito on the Hoehn and Dominy team. Together, they completed the small four-room home in three days. It is one of nine homes built this year by a Solana Beach Presbyterian team.

The recipients of the home, a family with three little kids, previously lived in a 10-foot by 10-foot hut on the side of a hill. Their gratitude for their new home is overwhelming.

“It is a fantastic opportunity, and I have a whole new bunch of friends from both sides of the border with whom I am forever bonded,” said Lew. “The Hoehn crew had such a terrific attitude, worked hard, and added so much to our experience. They were all absolutely wonderful— what a team and credit to Hoehn!”

At c3 Church’s north campus in Carlsbad, California, their goal was to expel any preconception of what a church was.

Fresh, Real and Powerful! An Australian based church, rocks the North County. In the Lobby we designed a “white blank canvas” which is transformed weekly by projecting images using gobos (theatrical lighting), creating a fresh transforming space visit after visit. Complete with a Cafe, Book + Resource Center, the Lobby is the social heart of the church – it is designed for interaction. Flexibility is obtained by the use of wire-mesh drapery, used to expand the Lobby and borrow space from the adjacent meeting room. Inside the auditorium, there is stadium seating that creates an intimate venue for a large crowd bringing pastors/music team and worshiper’s closer for a dynamic music and light filled experience, containing a fresh, current and relative message.

An exciting and colorful “KidzChurch” provides Christian education for children. They are reaching out and connecting with young people and families where other churches struggle. Their goals were to establish an approachable, exciting and vibrant worship environment, one focused on interaction, connection and engagement. A church that has a culture and atmosphere of faith, hope and love.

Members of the First Presbyterian Church of Burbank gathered Sunday, Sept. 25, for a groundbreaking event to celebrate the start of construction on a grand scale interior and exterior makeover. According to the church master plan designed by domusstudio architecture, the work will increase outreach and support ongoing growth at the nearly 125-year-old church.

Built in the 1950s, Burbank Presbyterian’s current structure is a concrete masonry block building with two half towers facing the street. Here are some highlights of the remodel:

• A new entry will be farther back on the campus, providing a better transition from street activity to sacred ministry.

• The existing entry, or narthex, will become a small chapel featuring clear glass and a new skylight that will provide an ethereal connection.

• The church’s main courtyard will be reworked for improved gathering space and ADA accessibility.

• The extensive ADA upgrade also will include an elevator tower that will allow the church to utilize 100 percent of its facilities.

• A bridge will be built from a new elevator tower to the upper levels of the two existing buildings, “providing an exciting three tier exterior kinetic courtyard,” according to David Keitel of domusstudio architecture.

• New windows, skylights and light shelves will maximize the effects of natural daylight and minimize the requirements for artificial lighting for a more sustainable building.

• The basement of the existing sanctuary building will be dug out on one side in order to create a lower-level outdoor courtyard for youth assembly.

Founded in 1986 as Dominy + Associates, domusstudio architecture is a San Diego architectural design firm specializing in sacred facilities, fire stations, educational buildings, senior housing and custom residential projects. For more information about projects and services, call 619-692-9393.

It was the 10-year anniversary of the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, a somber day of remembrance for most, but also a day of celebration at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church.

Sept. 11, 2011 was dedication day for the new Parish Center at the Carlsbad parish. Hundreds turned out to witness the blessing of the building by Bishop Robert Brom and Father Don Coleman and to get a first look of the beautiful 18,443-square-foot, two-story structure.

Designed as part of a master plan by domusstudio architecture, St. Elizabeth Seton’s new Parish Center contributes to a cohesive church campus and matches the award-winning sanctuary the San Diego architecture firm designed more than 15 years ago.

domusstudio’s Wayne Holtan, AIA, was the partner in charge of the project, and CW Driver was the general contractor. Parishioner Pete Kruse of Kruse Development Services, Inc., was the project manager on behalf of the Diocese of San Diego.

Founded in 1986 as Dominy + Associates, domusstudio architecture is a San Diego architectural design firm specializing in sacred facilities, fire stations, educational buildings, senior housing and custom residential projects. For more information about projects and services, call 619-692-9393.

One highlight of the project is a new coffee kiosk in the central courtyard plaza that will augment the outdoor fellowship and gatherings for the campus.

Another feature of the new Parish Center is the 4,630-square-foot second-story social hall. Showcasing high-volume wood-beamed ceilings, the venue will have the flexibility to serve as a conference facility – with dual large format presentation screens and advanced audio-visual features – or a social event setting, with dance floor, stage, dinner seating for 300-plus and kitchen facilities to service such events. Overlooking the campus’ outdoor courtyard plaza, the social hall can expand into a covered patio for overflow seating and gatherings.

The lower level of the new building includes a series of meeting rooms, a youth room and offices to serve the growing sacred education program and other ministries.

As with all our church architecture projects, St. Elizabeth’s new Parish Center is designed to express and evoke an appropriate ethereal connection that is something beyond four walls and a roof. We feel this even in the chaos of construction. See what you think.

Sustainable design and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) have been getting a lot of press lately. This is the second in a series of articles intended to give building owners an overview of the sustainable design features which are the most practical and effective in the long-term reduction of building operating expenses and energy consumption as well as features that contribute to the long-term “livability” of buildings.

When building a new structure, what is the single most sustainable consideration that has the most cost impact? I would say the answer would simply be to not build a new building. Adaptive reuse, remodel and renovation of an existing building and site will have the least environmental impact and potentially save the most time and money.

There are many sustainable factors that building reuse will affect.

1. Preservation of virgin land and avoiding potential environmental and habitat developmental impacts of greenfield sites.

2. Reusing structural components minimizes the consumption of the natural resources and energy used to make steel, concrete or lumber products. Also, these components are generally some of the heaviest items that go into a new building, therefore requiring the most freight costs and energy to ship.

3. The use of existing developed sites will often require less regulatory review time, permit costs and development impact fees. However, existing sites may still need to be brought up to current ADA/accessibility, energy and storm-water quantity and quality control requirements.

4. Existing developed sites usually already have the needed infrastructure, avoiding costly utility extensions and public improvements.

5. Reuse and renovation of existing buildings extend their life, minimizing impacts to landfills due to building demolition.

6. The reuse of existing construction materials minimize the off-gassing created by new construction products, contributing to the long-term well-being of the occupants.

For a number of clients, we have successfully given facelifts to existing buildings that have outlived their usefulness and function and transformed them into new energy efficient, aesthetic and functional spaces. Minor additions or alterations to existing structures can create a sense of entry, bring in natural light, or create a better sense of indoor/outdoor relationships.

At Mission Valley Church of the Nazarene, we converted an existing gymnasium into a contemporary worship space. While the “bones” of the building shell were maintained, the mechanical units, light fixtures and windows have been replaced with high efficient systems. The relatively inexpensive acoustic clouds give an aesthetic focus to the space, transforming it from a simple box to a dynamic space with rhythm and visual movement.

If you are looking for an existing building to purchase or lease, it is helpful to enlist an architect early in the process to help you evaluate whether it will meet your program needs as well as give you some insight into potential design options. An architect will also be helpful in giving you an idea of what upgrades may be required to meet current codes, so you can factor those into your budget.

While re-using an existing building can be a “green” design solution, long-term function must also be evaluated. We have often provided master planning services for campuses where we recommended that some existing buildings be relocated or removed in order to develop proper site circulation, create more outdoor people spaces, or remove vehicular and pedestrian conflicts. Short-term savings must be weighed against the long-term livability and function.

With creativity and an aesthetic design sense, an architect that understands your needs and building program can bring value to an end product that will meet and hopefully exceed your expectations.

Check out some photos of our new Parish Hall at St. Therese of Carmel in San Diego’s Carmel Valley, just recently dedicated. It’s getting great reviews, and as you will see, it works equally well for performances, dinners, and Parish School sports. The special carpet we commissioned is key; you can bounce a basketball as if the floor is wood.

Most of the time, churches that build gyms for youth programs then have their church dinners “in the gym.” My own church many years ago built a dinner hall that won’t work for sports at all. Not too cool for the youth. More formal churches struggle to allow plays, school-type events or videos in their Sanctuaries up on the chancel space.

This space at St. Therese does the triple duty (dinners, stage performances, sports) without any of the functions feeling terribly compromised. Everyone seems happy, especially with the amount of money saved. In fact, scheduling becomes the only problem.

Glenn Thomas at GCThomas pulled this together for us. His beautiful and affordable flooring was a macro mural design (that is, each roll is butted and stretched next to the other to create a mural design) which is possible on a tapistron machine.

We were concerned that the court lines wouldn’t line up with such big rolls and the required tolerances, but they were within a half inch when installed. ”B Carpet” is an all loop, low profile dense carpet represented in San Diego by Glenn. Visit his website at www.gcthomas.com.

Domusstudio and Josephson Werdowatz & Associates team up for Malibu Presbyterian Church

We just announced the People’s Choice award for RSF Village Church, and now we look forward to another church architecture project featuring domusstudio and structural engineering firm Josephson Werdowatz & Associates, Inc.

Structural complexity by JWA combined with concepts and creativity by domusstudio again will be showcased to dramatic effect, this time at Malibu Presbyterian Church.

Designed by domusstudio to be contemporary and light-filled, the view-oriented Malibu Presbyterian Church project will include two glass-themed buildings connected by a huge central outdoor terrace. The architecturally creative exposed structure will wow parishioners.

JWA and domusstudio have worked together on many projects over the past two decades. Most recently, the partnership completed the award-winning exposed steel sanctuary at the Village Presbyterian Church of Rancho Santa Fe. Domusstudio came up with the original concept and JWA came up with the solution on how to structurally accomplish the design idea. JWA is terrific at finding a structural solution that is architecturally appealing.

The domusstudio/JWA partnership took a similar approach more than 10 years ago at Irvine Presbyterian Church. The completed project earned the Structural Engineers Association of San Diego’s Award for Excellence in 1999.

The Village Community Presbyterian Church in Rancho Santa Fe, designed by church architecture specialists domusstudio architecture of San Diego, has been honored with a 2011 Lily Award from the Rancho Santa Fe Association.

Presented May 12 at the association’s annual meeting at the Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club, the Lily Award is intended to highlight work that embodies the high standard of architecture and landscape design envisioned by Rancho Santa Fe’s first architect and Building Commissioner Lilian Rice. Senior Associate David Keitel accepted the award for domusstudio architecture, which was founded in 1986 as Dominy + Associates Architects.

The Village Community Presbyterian Church is a longtime pillar in the Rancho Santa Fe area, founded in 1956 and with more than 1,200 members in its congregation.

Dedicated in May 2010, after nearly two years of construction and remodeling, the Village Church today is distinguished by hand-made Spanish tile roofing and a 5-foot 6-inch cross, which sits atop a 42-foot dome adjacent to a 45-foot tile-roofed tower. A new courtyard setting is at the heart of the church campus, and the new sanctuary offers seating for nearly 600, with improved visibility and audibility from all areas.

In addition to its new sanctuary, Village Church design and construction also includes new offices for church staff, new Sunday school classrooms and a new playground.

Throughout construction, the Rancho Santa Fe Association never received a phone call of complaint from the community.

“It was our honor to be a partner with the Village Church and to maintain good neighbor relationships with the Rancho Santa Fe community,” said Keitel of domusstudio architecture. “From an architectural and planning perspective, the Village Church design represents an anchor in the community, positioned as it is at the opposite end of the Village from the beloved Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. The building’s Lilian Rice design blends nicely with the character of Rancho Santa Fe, and we trust Lilian Rice would be pleased and find joy with our architectural addition.”

BURBANK, Calif. (June 8, 2011) – We were honored recently to be interviewed for client First Presbyterian Church of Burbank’s “His Story, Our Time, Your Moment” renovation inspiration campaign. Church master planning and architecture are key to increasing outreach through better utilization of the entire campus. Where Burbank Presbyterian is only using 10 percent of its space today, our church redesign will provide them with a more cohesive campus. Watch the video here: First Pres Burbank “His Story, Our Time, Your Moment” Renovation Inspiration 2011